New Zealand Police Release First-Ever Photos of Awful Campsite Where Fugitive Hid With His Children

New Zealand police have released the first images from one of the remote bush campsites occupied by fugitive Tom Phillips and his three children, now aged 9, 10, and 12.

The makeshift hideout—deep in dense Waitomo bushland—was discovered roughly 2 km from the confrontation site where Phillips was ultimately fatally shot.

Two of the children were found there, and a third, who was with Phillips during the standoff, helped officers locate the site.

What the Photos Reveal: The Fugitive Reveals Everything

Moreover, the photos capture a sparse and rugged living space concealed beneath trees: tarpaulins, a basic tent, items scattered around, quad bikes, tires, soda cans, and remnants of a makeshift shelter.

The setting underscores how the group lived off-grid in harsh terrain with very little infrastructure.

Police and Officials Weigh In

Additionally, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers emphasized the perilous environment in which the children were left: “Phillips had no regard for the safety of those children… quite literally put his children in harm’s way.” Authorities recovered multiple firearms, including the one used in the shootout, at the campsite.

Investigations are now focused on whether Phillips received help or supplies from others during the four-year ordeal.

The Children’s Status and Support

The children are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s agency for child welfare.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers noted that the children, despite their ordeal, were cooperative and engaging with officers—they received snacks, water, and immediate emotional support upon their rescue.

Why It Matters

These photos provide a stark visual context to a harrowing story—one of a family surviving for years in isolation.

They highlight the psychological and physical toll of a fugitive life on vulnerable children and raise urgent questions about bushcraft, survival, and the stern challenges authorities faced in tracking them over rugged, remote terrain. The visual evidence adds clarity amid the suspicion, grief, and relief that now define the case.

You might also want to read: Fugitive New Zealand Father Killed by Police; Missing Children Found Safe After Four-Year Ordeal